Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.7% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 600 roles, based on the most recently available information published in January 2022.

Total employment in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI market rose by 3,353 jobs in November and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 3.7%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 4 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • Kalamazoo-Portage, MI unemployment rate is 34 bps above the national rate which is a negative sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 20 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in November versus prior month by 4.3% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Unemployment November 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.4% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 26,300; +600
  • Education & Healthcare: 25,800; +200
  • Manufacturing: 24,200; +100
  • Government: 20,200; +600
  • Business Services: 17,700; +100
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Unemployment by Industry November 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through November 2022 (Data published January 2022 and reports created on January 3, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.